Walid Regragui resignation confirmed as Morocco appoints Mohamed Ouahbi as head coach ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Morocco national football team head coach Walid Regragui has resigned less than 100 days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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The announcement was made during a late-night press conference on Thursday alongside Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation, who paid tribute to Regragui’s contributions to Moroccan football.

“The team needs a fresh face, a different energy, and a new perspective with a new coach,” Regragui said.

“I think the team needs a new lease of life before the World Cup, a new vision to continue progressing.”

The 50-year-old coach made history by leading Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the last four.

However, his position had come under scrutiny after Morocco lost 1-0 to Senegal in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil earlier this year.

Following the resignation, the Moroccan football federation appointed Mohamed Ouahbi as Regragui’s successor.

Ouahbi, 49, recently guided Morocco’s under-20 side to the FIFA U‑20 World Cup title and previously managed the under-23 team.

Much of his coaching experience comes from working with youth teams at Belgian club RSC Anderlecht.

“This team already has strong foundations,” Ouahbi said.

“I’m not here to build, but to keep performing.”

He also confirmed that João Sacramento, a former Paris Saint‑Germain assistant who previously worked under José Mourinho at AS Roma and Tottenham Hotspur, will join his coaching staff.

Regragui, a former defender who played for Racing Santander in Spain, had led Morocco since 2022.

His tactical approach, often described as overly defensive, drew criticism after the country’s recent continental campaigns.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi paid tribute on social media, calling Regragui a “legend” whose leadership inspired both players and fans.

As part of preparations for the World Cup, Morocco will play warm-up matches against Ecuador on March 27 and Paraguay on March 31.

The Atlas Lions have been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland.

Morocco continues to invest heavily in football infrastructure, aiming to become a global football hub and co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

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Plans include the Hassan II Stadium, which is expected to hold 115,000 spectators once completed in 2028.